أخاكَ أخاكَ فهو أجَلُّ ذُخْرٍ

إِذا نابَتْكَ نائبةُ الزمانِ

Your brother, your brother, he is the most precious treasure,

When the vicissitudes of time afflict you,

وإن رابتْ إساءتُه فَهبْهَا

لما فيه من الشِّيَمِ الحِسَانِ

And if his wrongdoing disturbs you, forgive him

For the nobility and kindness that is in him,

تُريدُ مهذَّباً لا عَيْبَ فيهِ

وهل عُودٌ يفوحُ بلا دُخَانِ

You want one who is refined with no defects,

But what wood gives off fragrance without first being burnt?